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what would you choose for an off-road rig?

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by RoyB, Feb 21, 2009.

?

which one?

  1. 4 runner

    241 vote(s)
    20.2%
  2. 1st gen tacoma

    539 vote(s)
    45.1%
  3. cherokee

    103 vote(s)
    8.6%
  4. other

    311 vote(s)
    26.0%
  1. Feb 21, 2009 at 6:22 PM
    #1
    RoyB

    RoyB [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Tossing the idea around. not many trails here so I wouldn't want to dump too much into one. under 5K for the rig and a couple thousand for a lift and tires.

    I Was thinking
    -Older cherokee, classic style
    -older 4 runner
    - older tacoma- first gen prolly.

    Cherokees seem to be super cheap for a decent 90s model. It's pretty hard to find any cheap first gen tacomas. I like the suv idea because I can use it for other stuff if I had to. I already have a truck...don't see the point in having 2 trucks. It would be pretty cool if I could tow it to the trail in the tacoma incase I broke something as well.

    Any other suggestions? I don't want a wrangler because they are too small. I've seen a couple older toyotas that look like jeeps and they are pretty cool. I imagine price would be high on them though.
     
  2. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:11 PM
    #2
    MsTRD

    MsTRD hell yes i love my truck

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    i chose a 4runner because that's what I have...
     
  3. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:13 PM
    #3
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    i usually wheel with some SERIOUS XJs (cherokees)

    if i was to be building a trail rig (other than my current taco)

    id buy in the following order

    95-04 tacoma (possibly wrecked or high mileage)
    older toyota truck
    xj
     
  4. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:13 PM
    #4
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Unimog, M-37, or FJ80.......In that order
     
  5. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:14 PM
    #5
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    ill try and dig up some pics of some of the xjs i wheel with
     
  6. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:31 PM
    #6
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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  7. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:32 PM
    #7
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    all of them have been flopped or rolled multiple times and the white one is now a full tube chassis with shortened wheelbase
     
  8. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:32 PM
    #8
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    I could have sworn that was a Taco in your pic!?!?:D
     
  9. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:39 PM
    #9
    RoyB

    RoyB [OP] Well-Known Member

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    can you get those for under 5K?
     
  10. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:40 PM
    #10
    RoyB

    RoyB [OP] Well-Known Member

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    those things look pretty sweet.
     
  11. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:41 PM
    #11
    MsTRD

    MsTRD hell yes i love my truck

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    it is...but i have a 4runner too :)
     
  12. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:47 PM
    #12
    RoyB

    RoyB [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i had a 2001 4 runner. pretty cool vehicle.
     
  13. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:53 PM
    #13
    higherlux

    higherlux Well-Known Member

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    if i were you id go with a 79-85 toyota pickup swb(perfer 85 first year with fuel injection)
    for the following reasons
    1. verry cheap 3000 and below for a "well" used one
    2. already has a solid front axle
    3. easy to work on
    4. easy and cheap to lift or modify
    5. the 22R is a verry relyable motor
    6. they are very capable in stock form

    (btw one of those will be my next vehicle)
     
  14. Feb 21, 2009 at 7:58 PM
    #14
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    Oh okay copy that!
     
  15. Feb 21, 2009 at 8:11 PM
    #15
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    Of your choices listed I'd say an older 4runner or Tacoma would be my choice if you found one SASed. The cherokees are ok rigs but im not the biggest unibody jeep fan. Hard to stuff larger tires on those small cherokees too. If you want a jeep, look for an early TJ(wrangler), 1997+ as you can somtimes find those at pretty reasonable prices and with a 4" lift and lockers it would be pretty capable. The '85 'Yota would be my #1 pick as they are usually quite cheap and you can probably find one already trail modified that only needs some work and not a lot of work.
     
  16. Feb 21, 2009 at 8:12 PM
    #16
    Bakemono

    Bakemono Wrath of the runbird

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    Id go with an old solid front axle Hilux or 4Runner. They are kinda hard to find, but for lifting and offroading they are the best setup.
    IFS is OK, but you run into more problems when you want to lift them and solid front axle is a stronger setup.
    Back when I was in highschool I had an '85 4Runner SR5 with a 22R-E engine and 5-speed manual tranny (had A/C and power windows too) and that thing was a beast.
    Body rust was an issue on those, but the driveline is aboslutely bulletproof and you can lift them as high as you want pretty easily.
    Just make sure its an '85. In '86 they switched to IFS. If memory serves me correctly, some of the early build in the '86 model year were SFA, but halfway through the model year they switched over to IFS because everyone complained about the rough ride of SFA.
     
  17. Feb 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM
    #17
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Yes. I got my M-37 for 1k, saw an Unimog in the local paper for $5000.00, and a buddy of mine was selling his FJ80 for $4800.
     
  18. Feb 21, 2009 at 8:23 PM
    #18
    higherlux

    higherlux Well-Known Member

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    ^^ not true they started makeing the ifs trucks in september of 85
    my dad has a 86 model truck with ifs that was made in 85
     
  19. Feb 21, 2009 at 8:33 PM
    #19
    RoyB

    RoyB [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ill have to check some of these vehicles out. is a manual preferred for offroading? what is common to replace on a manual?
     
  20. Feb 21, 2009 at 8:47 PM
    #20
    Bakemono

    Bakemono Wrath of the runbird

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    The trucks and 4Runners are different though. Changes in suspension and engines typically came to the trucks before the 4Runners.
     

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